Monrovia – Assistant Minister for Youth Services at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Kula Fofana, has extended congratulatory message to Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayeke of Sri Lanka as the newly announced UN Youth Envoy.
Kula said she wants young people in Africa and the world to support the new UN Youth Envoy in order to lift the voices of youth globally. Fofana was among shortlisted finalists for the post but the Secretary Greneral preferred Sri Lanka.
“The screening and selection process is now over, and an equally qualified and experienced youth advocate Ms. Jayathma Wickramanayeke of Sri Lanka has been announced as the new Envoy.
I congratulate Ms. Wickramanayeke on her preferment and call on all youth activists and youth development organizations to rally around and support her in lifting the voices of young people at the United Nations and globally,” the statement said.
She attributed her participation and selection to huge support received from people and organizations across Africa which, she said, has inspired and challenged her to work harder in campaigning for more opportunities.
These opportunities if met, she noted, would squarely benefit vulnerable young people in conflict situations and others held down by poverty.
“Most importantly, the support I received globally has inspired me to work more towards building bridges across cultures with a goal of promoting values of a common humanity among young people.”
“I would like to thank Bro. Chernor Bah from Sierra Leone, now of Purposeful Production, who initiated this process and first submitted my nomination” Madam Fofana registered.
Kula pointed out that her support was actively driven from the backing she got from the Liberian government, especially President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as well as the team at the Liberia Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
“I would like to express my profound gratitude particularly to: Moremi Institute for Women’s Leadership in Africa, Voice Movement Africa, Network of Professional Women (XXPro), African Youth Commission, ECOWAS Youth Council, the United Nations Office for West Africa & Sahel and the Liberian Press,” Madam Fofana intoned.